Framingham State University has been awarded a 5-year, $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will pay for the training of 50 teachers in the Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESL).

Starting in January, two cohorts of K-12 teachers from the Framingham, Milford and Waltham School Districts will enroll in courses within FSU’s MEd with a concentration in TESL. Each of these communities has a large population of English Language Learner (ELL) students, so it’s imperative that the districts train more teachers who have the skills needed to work with them.

The Program Director of the grant is Dr. Mary-Ann Stadtler-Chester, Chair and Professor of World Languages. Through the program, teachers will share what they learn with other educators in their districts, and offer workshops to parents of English learner students about the American school system, according to Stadtler-Chester.

“Framingham State is committed to preparing the best teachers in the Commonwealth,” says Framingham State President F. Javier Cevallos. “This grant will enable these communities to provide a more effective education to their growing ELL populations.”

The grant came from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Professional Development Program. This is the second time Framingham State University has received a federal grant to cover the cost of training teachers in TESL.

Click here to learn more about Framigham State’s MEd in Teaching English as a Second Language.